The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER
[From Our Regular Correspondent!
WASHINGTON. D. c.,
FEB. 81. 1887.

- -NE -H #s
WASHINGTON. D. c.,
FEB, 81, 1887.
Congress has given its attention
to a vast amount of miscellaneous
matter during the present week,
such as the Texas Ku-Klux inves-
tigation, money for rivers and har-
bors, retaliation towards Canada,
and the trade dollar, but the most
interesting debate occurred in the
Senate over the bill providing for.
the increase Of the navy establish
ment.
The Senate voted for the buildr
ing of ten new cruisers. Senator
Maxey, of Texas, was notonly in
favor of building war vessels, but
of fortifying every seaport in the
country. He knew that it was 60
ing to cost money, but he said if
there was any force in the maxim,
Tin time of peace prepare for war;"
this was the time to put it in prac-
ltice, when the Treasury vas ever-
flowing and when the money was
being absolutely wasted.
Senator Butler, of South Carroll
ma, wanted the vessels to be heavi-
ly armored. Mr.. Hale insisted
that the pending bill confined the
new vessels strictly to defensive,
not aggressive purposes, He was
for defensive purposes first, and af-
ter that, if armored ships de-
sired, he would favor them. The
two features on WHICH, Congress
was now proceeding were the fast
cruisers (making it dangerous for
other nations to engage in wal with
the United States, BECAUSE their
commerce would be the prey Of the
cruisers and the coast defenses to
prevent foreign fleets from bonn
harding the great cities of the Unit
ed States.
Senator ingalls, expressed the
belief that the floating batteries
provided for in the bill would be
practically useless. The Senate
had been, within the past few
weeks, appropriating millions on
millions, not for tribute, but fol
defense. Wealthy men who did
not care how the money was to go:
had been doing this. bHe hoped
that the Senate would pause in its
headlong career long enoughto get
some tangible information as to
how much money there was in the
Treasury, and how long thel "Foun.
tain of Pactolus" would afford the
golden stream necessary to meet
the millions which the. Senate was
so recklessly voting away.
Senator Dolph had Adead to the
Senate a newspaper clipping which
described an imaginary attack or
and destruction of the. city of Sar
Francisco, by a hostile fleet. Then
he dwelt upon the present defense.
less conditions ofthe United States
and said it was under heavy bond
to keep peace with all the world
and that it would be at a humiliat
ing disadvantage in any contro.
versy.
When Senator Vest took the
floor he asked who was responsible
for the present .~disgraceful lack o.
a United States Navy and sea-
coast defenses. He knew that he
would be '%thrashing old straw
but he wanted to remind the Sen.
ate and the country that there was
not in the history of the civilized
world, apage ofmal-administration
equal to that of the Navy Depart
ment of the United States since
the close of the war, nearly $780,.
100000 for naval purposes. If q
British Minister should make such
an exhibit in parliament as the
United States Navy Department
from 1865 to 1885, he would be
pursued out of his place with exc.
crations.. The Senator believed
that if this session we're to last
much longer, Congress would put
Aladdin's lamp into the hands Of
a receiver"
The House of Representatives
has made up its mind to fight the
Presidents veto of the big Paupel
Pension bill, and the Senate o.
course, will do the same.Itis moi
believed, however, that the veto
lean be overridden. 10.
The Presidents latest veto.is that
Of the Texas Seed bill. 1t 3appro.
priated $4,000 for seed. corn and
wheat to be distributed in the
drouth stricken region off. that
State. Its advocates made strong
plea, but the President said in the
message accompanying the veto
II do not believe that the power
and duty of the general Severn.
ment ought to be extended to the
relief of individual suffering which
is in no manner related to the pub.
lie service or benefit" Among his
sentences was one which VIII doubt
less have a place with the familiar
quotations of our Federal politics
Said he: Though the people sup
port the Government, the. Govern
ment ought not support the people
Juno.
Chicauo Herald. There is some